Flap lifter



Jan. l, 1963 W. SCHAFROTH FLAP LIFTER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG? 3y M, MM/MMJam. 1, 1963 w. scHAFRoTH 3,070,801

FLAP LIFTER Filed NOV. 8, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 finite tat 3,070,801Patented `Ian. 1, 1953 This invention relates to a flap Ilifter forcartons or containers in general, and in particular, relates to a flaplifter adapted to be used in combination with a stapling `machine of theretractable anvil type.

Staples are commonly used for closing cartons or master shippingcontainers. The staples are often driven by stapling machines of theretractable anvil type wherein the anvil projects from the bottom edgeof the stapling machine itself and penetrates the material to besta-pled, so that the staple is clinched from the same side Ifrom whichit is driven. Stapling machines of this type are shown in the SchafrothPatents No. 2,896,502 dated August 4, 1959, Design No. 183,948 datedNovember 18, 1958, Design No. 180,104 dated April 16, 1957, No.2,778,022 dated January 22, 1957, No. 2,770,804 dated November 20, 1956,No. 2,764,758 dated October 2, 1956, and others.

Cartons which are to be stapled are frequently of the regular slottedtype and are used to pack all sorts of items which may or may not lillthe entire carton. At times it is necessary to make certain that theinner aps are in dat juxtaposed position with respect to the outer apsto which they are to be secured by staples. The present flap lifter isdesigned to be used to make certain that the inner flaps lie ilatwiseagainst the inner surfaces of the outer flaps when the carton is beingset up to receive goods, and also, when the carton is partially or fullyloaded and the cover flaps are being stapled.

In the past, other devices have been used to lift the inner flaps ofcartons, but these devices do not have the advantages of the presentinvention. Such prior devices either penetrated the wall portion of thecarton to be stapled, or lifted the inner flap in an uncontrolled orpossibly damaging manner and did not aid the stapling machine and werean obstacle to it in some positions.

One of the principle objects of the present invention is to provide aflap lifter which is also used as a `base and a positioner for astapling machine. Another object is to provide a flap lifter with apredetermined angle to the flap lifting blade so as to pivot the innerap upwardly into flat position underneath the outer flap, and to receiveand provide a base -for the stapling machine, which is to drive andclinch the staples.

Another object is to provide a flap lifter which is relatively simpleand cheap to make and which has predetermined angles to insure properoperation. Another object is to provide a flap lifter which forms a basefor the stapling machine which is to drive the staples.

These and other lobjects and advantages will become apparenthereinafter.

The invention is embodied in a ap lifter comprising a base portion withan upwardly inclined forward portion having an opening therein forreceiving a stapling 1nachine, said 4base portion having a blade securedthereto, said blade extending forwardly from the base portion and havingan upper edge substantially parallel to said base portion and positionedbelow the plane of the lower surface thereof.

The invention also consists in the parts and in the arrangement andcombination of parts herein described and claimed. In the accompanyingdrawings, which form part of this specification and wherein in likenumerals refer to like parts wherever they occur:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a flap lifter embodying the presentinvention,

FIG. 2 is a bottom view thereof,

FIG. 3 is a front end yView thereof looking toward the blade,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of the forwardportion thereof,

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section,

'showing the inclined flanges positioned atly on the outer Hap of acarton with the blade receiving the inner edge of the downturned innerflap,

FIG. 6 is a View similar to FIG. 5, but after the base portion has beenpivoted downwardly to raise the blade and the inner flap,

FIG. 7 is a perspective View showing the flap lifter Vpositioned withits blade between the central longitudinal 7slot between the side coveraps of the carton and with a stapling machine thereon, and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 with the stapling machineshown after it has been moved forwardly or leftwardly on the baseportion through the cut out portion.

Referring now to the drawings, in detail, it will be seen that the flaplifter 1, or the embodiments of the invention which has beenillustrated, comprises a base portion 2 with a blade 3 thereon. The iiaplifter 1 is made preferably from steel or any other suitable metal orhard material.

The base 2 is substantially rectangular and has a forward portion 4 withupturned flanges or tongues 5 with an opening or cut out portion 6therebetween. The base 2 has a dat upper 'surface 7 and a flat lowersurface S. The upturned flanges 5 are positioned preferably at an iacuteangle A, preferably of about 30 to the plane of the flap lifter 1 may beprovided with a hole 12 or other 'suitable hanging means if desired.

The blade 3 is secured to the lower surface 8 of the base 2 at a pointslightly rearwardly of the forward edge 11 of said base 2. The blade 3has a `securing portion "13 which is welded or suitably secured in somemanner Yto the base 2. The blade 3 has a forward wall 14 perpendicularto the base 2 and at a predetermined distance rearwardly of the forwardedges 9 of the flanges S, and a straight upper edge 15 which terminatesin a curved forward edge 16. The upper edge 1S of the blade 3 issubstantially parallel to the lower surface 8 of the base 2, but can lbeat a slightly -downward angle if desired. The blade 3 is positionedpreferably midway between the inner edges 10 of the upturned flanges 5.The forward portion 4 ofthe base 2, the forward wall 14 and the upperedge 15 -of the blade 3 form a pocket `17 into which the inner flap of acarton may extend.

The flap lifter 1 is made preferably from steel. It has been found thata base 2 of approximately 41/2 by 6 inches with a blade 3 extendingabout 2 inches forwardly from the edge 11 of the ybase 2 givessatisfactory results for Imost kinds and sizes of cartons.

`In operation, the flap lifter 1 may be used to set up and staple thebottom of a carton 18 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. It may also be used toproperly position and staple the inner and outer cover flaps of apartially or fully loaded carton.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, it will be seen that the flap lifter 1 isused by inserting the blade 3 in the longitudinal central slot 19between the side flaps 20 and moving the l'blade 3 into the carton at anangle of 30 or more to the and moved upwardly into flat contactingrelation with the outer side cover flaps 20. This is accomplished bymoving the flap lifter 1 leftwardly so that the inner edge 22 of theinner end flap 21 rides up on the upper edge of the blade 3 until itapproaches or contacts the forward wall 14 thereof, or it can beaccomplished by simply pivoting the base portion 2 downwardly therebyrotating the blade 3 upwardly so that the upper edge 15 is substantiallyhorizontal.

In practice, the operator moves the flap lifter 1 so rapidly and in sucha manner that the inner aps 2l are usually raised by a combination ofboth the forward movement and the pivoting of the base portion 2 to theposition shown in FIG. 6. In this position, the flaps of the carton,both inner and outer, are in proper position to be stapled. Furthermore,the ap lifter 1 is positioned on the carton 18 in such a manner that theinner edge 22 of the inner flap 21 is in a known position. The portablestapling machine 23 is then moved into its proper posi tion on the aplifter 1 as shown in FIG. 7. In this position, the flap lifter 1 acts asa base or platform for the stapling machine 23 and also as a guide forproperly positioning the first staple to be driven, which is usually thestaple most inwardly from the end edge 24 of the carton. In thisposition, the magazine 25 of the stapling machine 23 rests flatly on thebase 2 of the flap lifter 1 and extends through the cut out portion 6between the upturned anges 5. The back of the head 26 of the staplingmachine 23 is positioned close or in contacting relation with theforward edges 9 of the flanges 5 which are a predetermined distanceforwardly of the forward wall 14 of the blade 3 and therefore the samedistance forwardly of inner edge 23 of the inner flap 21, therebymeasuring the precise spot for the innermost staple. The staple is thendriven.

The stapling machine 23 is then slid forwardly to drive the next staple,as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, the ilap lifter 1 not only serves to properlyposition the inner flap 21 but also serves as a base and guide for thestapling machine 23 which drives the staples.

This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of theexample of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure,which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A ap lifter comprising a base and a blade secured to said base, saidbase having fiat upper and lower surfaces, said base having upturnedflanges along the forward portion thereof with an opening therebetween,said upturned flanges being positioned at an acute angle with respect tosaid base, said blade being secured toA said base rearwardly of saidforward portion of said base and extending forwardly from said opening,said blade having a forward wall, an upper edge, and a forward edge,said upper edge being substantially parallel to said base, said upperedge being spaced lbelow the plane of said lower surface of said base,said forward wall being positioned a predetermined distance rearwardlyof the forward edges of said flanges.

2. A ilap lifter comprising a base and a blade extending therefrom, saidbase being substantially rectangular and having at upper and lowersurfaces, said base having a pair of spaced upturned flanges along theforward portion thereof with an opening therebetween, said upturnedflanges being approximately at a 30 angle with said base, said bladebeing secured to the lower surface of said base, said blade extendingforwardly from said opening midway between said flanges, said bladehaving a forward wall, an upper edge, and a forward edge, said upperedge being substantially parallel to said base and spaced below theplane of said lower surface of said base, said forward wall beingpositioned a predetermined distance rearwardly of the forward edges ofsaid flanges.

3. A ap lifter comprising a bases and a blade extending therefrom, saidbase being substantially rectangular and having flat upper and lowersurfaces, said base having a pair of spaced upturned flanges along theforward portion thereof with an opening therebetween, said upturnedflanges being approximately at a 30 angle with said base, said bladebeing secured to the lower surface of said base perpendicular thereto,said blade extending forwardly from said opening midway between saidflanges, said blade having a forward wall, an upper edge, and a roundedforward edge, said upper edge being substantially parallel to said base,said upper edge being spaced below the plane of said lower surface ofsaid base, said forward wall being positioned a predetermined distancerearwardly of the forward edges of said anges.

4. A flap lifter comprising a base and a blade secured to said base,said base being substantially rectangular and having at upper and lowersurfaces, said base having a pair of spaced upturned flanges along theforward portion thereof with an opening therebetween, said upturnedflanges being approximately at a 30 angle with said base, said bladebeing secured to the lower surface of said base at a point rearwardly ofthe forward edge of said base, said blade extending forwardly from saidopening midway between said flanges, said blade having a forward wall,an upper edge, and a rounded forward edge, said upper edge beingsubstantially parallel to said base, said upper edge being spaced belowthe plane of said lower surface of said base, Said forward wall beingpositioned a predetermined distance rearwardly of the forward edges ofsaid flanges and the forward edge of said base to form a pocket betweensaid blade and said base.

Yollans Apr. 25, 1961 Law July 17, 1962

1. A FLAP LIFTER COMPRISING A BASE AND A BLADE SECURED TO SAID BASE,SAID BASE HAVING FLAT UPPER AND LOWER SURFACES, SAID BASE HAVINGUPTURNED FLANGES ALONG THE FORWARD PORTION THEREOF WITH AN OPENINGTHEREBETWEEN, SAID UPTURNED FLANGS BEING POSITIONED AT AN ACUTE ANGLEWITH RESPECT TO SAID BASE, SAID BLADE BEING SECURED TO SAID BASEREARWARDLY OF SAID FORWARD PORTION OF SAID BASE AND EXTENDING FORWARDLYFROM SAID OPENING, SAID BLADE HAVING A FORWARD WALL, AN UPPER EDGE, ANDA FORWARD EDGE, SAID UPPER EDGE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAIDBASE, SAID UPPER EDGE BEING SPACED BELOW THE PLANE OF SAID LOWER SURFACEOF SAID BASE, SAID FORWARD WALL BEING POSITIONED A PREDETERMINEDDISTANCE REARWARDLY OF THE FORWARD EDGES OF SAID FLANGES.